S. Charles Lee (1899-1990) graduated from Technical College, Chicago in 1918 and the Armour Institute of Technology in 1921.
He relocated to Los Angeles in 1922 where he designed numerous theaters and office buildings (1927-40), developed the Los
Angeles International Industrial District (1948) and built several theaters in Mexico City (1942). The Collection contains
drawings, renderings, blueprints, photographs, and surveys relating to Lee's professional career including his work as a developer
and the most prolific architect of art deco movie palaces in Los Angeles.

Background

S. Charles Lee was born in Chicago on September 5, 1899; graduated, Technical College, Chicago, 1918; senior architect, South
Park Board, City of Chicago, 1918; U.S. Navy, 1918-20; graduated, Armour Institute of Technology, Art Institute of Chicago,
1921; moved to Los Angeles, 1921; opened architectural office, Los Angeles, 1922; designed and built Tower Theatre (1927),
Fox Wilshire Theatre and Los Angeles Theatre (1929), Max Factor buildings, Hollywood (1931-35), Fox Florence Theatre (1931),
Municipal Light, Water and Power Buildings, Los Angeles (1934-35), Bruin Theatre (1937), Tower Bowl, San Diego (1940), and
built several theaters in Mexico City (1942); honored by Royal Institute of British Architects at International Exhibit of
Contemporary Architects, London, 1934; began partnership with Sam Hayden, 1948; began development of Los Angeles International
Airport Industrial District, 1948; established S. Charles Lee Foundation, 1962; named Vice Consul to Beverly Hills!
by President of Panama, 1963; established S. Charles Lee Chair, UCLA Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Planning, 1986;
died in 1990. Born Simeon Charles Levi in Chicago in 1899, Lee was the son of American-born parents of German-Jewish ancestry, Julius and
Hattie (Stiller) Levi. Lee (who later changed his name from Levi) grew up in the Chicago of Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan,
and Frank Lloyd Wright. Lee's own favorite building was Sullivan's Carson Pirie Scott Department Store. He also grew up with
the evolving motion picture; he went to vaudeville theatres, nickolodeons,and early movie houses. A tinkerer interested in
mechanical things, Lee built three motorcars as a teenager.

1899

Born Chicago, Illinois.

1914

Built full-scale gas-powered automobile.

1915

Licensed radio operator.

[191_]

Graduated Technical College, Chicago, with honors.

1918

Senior architect, South Park Board, City of Chicago.

1918-20

Served United States Navy, Great Lakes Training Station.

1921

Graduated Armour Institute of Technology, Art Institute, Chicago.

[192_]

Worked in office of Rapp and Rapp, Chicago.

1921

Came to Los Angeles.

Licensed by State of Illinois to practice architecture.

1922

Opened architectural office in Los Angeles.

1920s

Designed and built houses, apartment buildings, hotels.

1927

Married Miriam (Midge) Zelda Aisenstein, Los Angeles.

Designed and built Tower Theatre, Los Angeles.

1928

Daughter Constance born, Los Angeles.

Designed and built Hollywood-Western Building for Motion Picture Producers Association, Hollywood.

1929

Designed and built Fox Wilshire Theatre, Beverly Hills.

Designed and built Los Angeles Theatre, Los Angeles.

1931

Designed and built Fox Florence Theatre, Beverly Hills.

1931-35

Designed and built Max Factor Buildings, Hollywood.

1930s

Designed dozens of commercial buildings and remodellings.

1934

Honored by Royal Institute of British Architects at International Exhibit of Contemporary Architects, London.

1934-35

Designed and built Municipal Light, Water and Power Buildings, Los Angeles.

1935

Licensed airplane pilot.

1935-50

Designed and built scores of small theatres throughout California and elsewhere in United States.

1937

Designed and built Bruin Theatre, Los Angeles.

1939

Designed and built Academy Theatre, Inglewood.

1940

Designed and built Twoer Bowl, San Diego.

1942

Built several theatres, Mexico City.

1948

Began partnership with Sam Hayden.

Began development of International Airport Industrial District.

1948-50s

Built dozens of small factories throughout Los Angeles.

1959

Began serving on Board of Directors, Braille Institute (treasurer).

1960

Wife died, Los Angeles.

1962

Established S. Charles Lee Foundation.

1963

Named Vice Consul to Beverly Hills by President of Panama.

1966

Married Hylda Moss, Buenos Aires.

1968

Received Presidential Medal, Order of Vasco Nuñez Balboa, Panama's highest order of merit.

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